Event brings community together

JONESVILLE — A Wine and Food Pairing benefit for the Grosvenor House Museum combined society with history in Jonesville Saturday.

The first-ever event was deemed a success by board members and those attending the evening social affair. Board member Laura Nevins said 75 tickets were printed for the event and 50 had been purchased already halfway through the evening.

“We’ve had a great turnout,” Nevins said.

Co-organizer Theresa Walker said the food pairings with five different wines were a hit. The food included selections of meats, cheeses and more prepared by caterer Marti Rice.

“This is the first time I’ve done something like this,” Rice said. “I called my daughter who does this all the time in Cleveland and she was very helpful.”

Yvonne Fedrick, manager of David’s Dolce Vida, said she was happy to be invited to serve the various varieties of wine for the event.

“This is very successful and we’re glad to be a part of this,” Fedrick said. “It was a great idea not only for our business, but for the Grosvenor House and getting people more aware about its history.”

History was highlighted by John Walker, who wore a reproduction of a Civil War musician’s uniform as he played the Estey reed organ recently donated to the museum.

“The uniform is authentic right down to the belt buckle,” John Walker said. “The cap shows the Fourth Infantry Company that Mr. Grosvenor served as a guard — he was on the draft board.”

The outfit was hand-made in Pennsylvania and was something Walker said he researched to find the direct tie to the Grosvenor name.

Tim Walker, John’s father, who also volunteers at the museum said the benefit will aid with maintenance and upkeep of the home. He named numerous projects to be done including window repair to help with efficiency, chimney repairs and gutter system and foundation work.

“With a home with as much history as this one, there are always things that need to be worked on,” Tim Walker said. “Everything has to be genuine to keep in line with the historical features to maintain the home’s credibility.”

Raising awareness as well as funds for these projects is exciting, he said.

“What better way than to socialize, because when folks start talking things can get accomplished,” he said.

Attending the event, Jessica LaRue of Montgomery said her grandfather, Wayne VanPatten, made an endowment to the museum and her family’s involvement on the board shows their continued commitment to the museum. She and her friend Elizabeth Dilyard said the evening was enjoyable and a way of bringing the community together for a worthy cause.